Winter Skincare Tips: How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Healthy in Cold Weather

Winter can be beautiful, with cosy evenings, crisp air and warm coats, but your skin doesn’t always agree. Cold winds, low humidity and indoor heating create the perfect storm for dryness, irritation and loss of radiance.

Many of our patients at Viva Well notice that their usual skincare routine stops working as soon as the temperature drops. Skin feels tight, dull, sometimes even itchy or sensitive. That’s because winter changes the way your skin behaves, and it needs extra support to stay balanced.

In this guide, we’ll explain why the skin gets dry in winter, how to protect it, and which treatments can restore your natural glow, safely and effectively.

Why Your Skin Feels Different in Winter

The skin’s outer layer, known as the barrier, acts as a shield against the environment. When the air becomes cold and dry, moisture evaporates more quickly from the surface, a process called transepidermal water loss.

Indoor heating, long hot showers and harsh cleansers only make it worse. Over time, this leads to:

Flakiness and rough texture
Redness or irritation
Sensitivity to products
Dullness and loss of elasticity
Exacerbation of eczema, rosacea or psoriasis

Even those with naturally oily skin may experience dryness in winter, as oil glands produce less sebum in low temperatures.

Step 1: Switch to a Gentle Cleanser

Your cleanser sets the tone for your entire routine. In winter, avoid foaming or alcohol-based formulas that strip the skin’s natural oils.

Opt instead for a cream or milk cleanser containing hydrating ingredients such as:

Glycerin – helps draw moisture to the skin.
Ceramides – repair and strengthen the barrier.
Hyaluronic acid – boosts water retention.

At Viva Well, we often recommend adjusting cleansers seasonally, a small change that makes a big difference.

Step 2: Strengthen the Skin Barrier

Think of your skin barrier as the wall that keeps hydration in and irritants out. Once it’s compromised, even gentle products can sting.

To keep it strong:

Use serums with niacinamide, which supports barrier function and reduces redness.
Add omega-rich moisturisers that replenish lost lipids.
Limit exfoliation – once a week is enough in winter.

If you’re undergoing aesthetic treatments such as peels or laser, strengthening your barrier beforehand helps prevent irritation and ensures better results.

Step 3: Prioritise Deep Hydration

Hydration is the heart of winter skincare. Products that contain hyaluronic acid, panthenol, or urea attract water into the skin, but to lock it in, you also need an emollient layer: think squalane, shea butter or jojoba oil.

Apply moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp to trap hydration more effectively.

For deeper, longer-lasting results, professional treatments like Skinboosters or Profhilo deliver hyaluronic acid directly beneath the surface. These treatments act as an internal moisturiser, improving firmness, elasticity and glow for up to six months.

Step 4: Don’t Skip SPF

It might feel unnecessary when it’s grey outside, but UV radiation doesn’t disappear in winter. UVA rays, responsible for premature ageing, are present all year round and can even penetrate clouds and glass.

Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply it every morning as the last step in your routine. This habit is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your skin in the long term.

Step 5: Support Your Skin From Within

Healthy skin starts on the inside. During winter, hydration, nutrition and supplementation are key allies.

Hydration

Drink at least 1.5–2 litres of water per day.
Herbal teas can also help, especially those with antioxidants like green tea or chamomile.

Nutrition

Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, avocado, walnuts) to support the skin’s lipid barrier.
Eat colourful fruits and vegetables for vitamins C and E, which protect against oxidative stress.

Supplements and Injections

At Viva Well, we offer vitamin injections (such as B12 and vitamin D) to support energy, immunity and skin vitality through the darker months. These treatments complement your skincare routine from the inside out.

Step 6: Professional Treatments That Help

Cold weather can cause dullness and dehydration that even the best creams can’t fully correct. That’s where clinical treatments come in.

1. Skinboosters or Profhilo

For deep hydration and skin quality improvement, these injectable treatments deliver hyaluronic acid directly into the dermis, perfect for restoring glow and elasticity.

2. Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Improves circulation, reduces puffiness and removes toxins, an ideal complement for skin health and recovery in the winter months.

3. Collagen Stimulators (e.g. Sculptra)

Support long-term skin firmness by stimulating your body’s natural collagen production, helping to combat the loss of elasticity often worsened by cold weather.

Each of these treatments can be tailored to your unique skin type and goals during a consultation with our clinical team.

Step 7: Adjust Your Routine for Comfort

Finally, remember that your skincare doesn’t need to be complicated, just consistent and mindful of what your skin is asking for.

A good winter routine looks like this:

Gentle cleanser
Hydrating serum
Nourishing moisturiser
Daily SPF
Optional booster (night cream, oil or mask)

Add a humidifier at home if possible; it keeps the air less dry and your skin more comfortable.

The Viva Well Approach

At Viva Well, we see skincare as part of a bigger picture. It’s not only about topical products, but also about your lifestyle, hormones, stress levels and nutrition, all of which affect how your skin looks and feels.

That’s why our clinical consultations always begin with a holistic assessment, helping us recommend the right combination of professional treatments and home care for your needs.

Our goal is simple: to help your skin stay balanced, healthy and naturally radiant, no matter the season.

Final Thoughts

Winter may challenge your skin, but with the right care, it’s possible to keep it hydrated, comfortable and glowing.

At Viva Well, we combine medical expertise with gentle, personalised care, so your skin receives the support it needs from both science and wellbeing.